More than £500 was raised as a dentist surgery offered free treatments in return for charity donations.

Simone Cowan, a hygiene therapist at Drayton House Dental Practice in Borehamwood, hopes to volunteer her dentistry skills on a two-week international effort in Zimbabwe later this month.

In order to raise the £2,500 needed for the trip, fellow colleagues spent yesterday offering new patients a free scale and dental check-up.

While all the staff exchanged their usual dental uniforms for Dentaid t-shirts, patients gave a donation of their choosing towards the mission instead of paying for their dental treatment.

By the end of day, the surgery has raised £571 to help Mrs Cowan on her way.

She said she was overwhelmed with the goodwill of patients at Drayton House Dental practice who have been interested in and very supportive of her mission – both verbally and with donations.